Category Archives: Historic ships

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Built in 1864-66 at Laird’s in Birkenhead, England, and launched on October 7 1865, the Huáscar was an advanced turret ship custom made for export to Perú. She was one of the few ironclads of her generation to actually engage in naval … Continue reading →

Submarines were first built by Dutch inventor Cornelius van Drebel in the early 17th century, but it was not until 150 years later that they were first used in naval combat. David Bushnell, an American inventor, began building underwater mines … Continue reading →

Carroll A. Deering was launched On April 4, 1919 in Bath, Maine. Designed for cargo service, this five-mast schooner, the last of nearly 100, was built by the G.G. Deering Co. and named for the owner’s son. She was described as … Continue reading →

Perhaps no ship struck as much fear into the heart of the British Navy in the spring of 1941 than the massive German dreadnought Bismarck which, at 823 feet and with a top speed of 30 knots, was the largest and fastest … Continue reading →

The steamboat Sultana was a Mississippi River paddle wheeler destroyed in an explosion on 27 April 1865. This resulted in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. An estimated 1,800 of the 2,400 passengers were killed when one of the ship’s … Continue reading →

The ARA General Belrgano will go down in history as the first ship sunk in anger by a Nuclear-Powered submarine. ARA General Belgrano was a warship that was originally constructed as the USS Phoenix in 1935, and launched in March … Continue reading →

The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner of the early twentieth century, owned and operated by the Cunard Company. Her keel was laid on 16 June 1904 and she was launched on 7 June 1906. Lusitania began her maiden voyage out of Liverpool, England … Continue reading →

The Ship La Amistad was a 19th-century two masted schooner of about 120 feet (37 m). Built in the United States, La Amistad was originally named Friendship but she was renamed after being purchased by a Spaniard. Strictly speaking, La Amistad was not a slave ship; she was not designed to … Continue reading →

The Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth was probably built before 1606. Christopher Jones of Harwich, Essex, was in command of the vessel as of August, 1609, and was part owner in 1612. Jones moved in 1611 to Rotherhithe, a shipping … Continue reading →

The Cutty Sark is the most famous tea clipper built, and is the only one to survive. She is now in dry dock at Greenwich. She was launched at Dumbarton on the River Clyde, Scotland, in 1869. The name comes from Robert … Continue reading →